Water Transition Assistance Pilot Project Program
Water Transition Assistance Program Benefits Landowners and Water Resources
The purpose of this voluntary, incentive-based water right retirement program is to provide a structured mechanism for the permanent dismissal of irrigation water rights and the reduction of consumptive groundwater use in focused, over appropriated areas.
Targeted areas currently approved for the program are:
- Rattlesnake Creek Subbasin,
- Prairie Dog Creek Basin, and
- Groundwater Management District #4 High Priority Areas.
The Kansas Legislature authorized this program in 2006 as a five year pilot project. The Rules and Regulations of the Water Right Transition Assistance Pilot Project Program (WTAP) were revised in 2008. The following link is the updated condensed version, which includes the five regulations (1-4, & 6) which were revised, as well as the two others (5 & 7) which had no revisions: Rules and Regulations of the Water Right Transition Assistance Pilot Project Program.
WTAP is designed to achieve significant impact in meeting State Water Plan goals regarding aquifer depletion levels and stream recovery, as well as in maintaining interstate compact obligations and avoiding water right impairment issues. The Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Conservation administers the program and Groundwater Management Districts and the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Water Resources assist with the implementation.
Water Transition Assistance Pilot Project Program Documents
Kansas Water Office Hydrogram (December 2008)
Water Transition Assistance Pilot Project Program Enrollment
The fall application period runs October 1 - November 15 annually. If funds are available after the fall enrollment, there will be a spring application period, February 15 - March 31. Below are the Water Transition Assistance Pilot Project Program Applications and Water Right Forms.
Application Attachment-Water Right Dismissal Form
Application Attachment-Water Right Reduction Form
Mail completed applications and related forms to the Division of Conservation, Kansas Department of Agriculture.
If you would like more information on this program please contact Steve Frost, Water Conservation Program Manager, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Conservation.
